Both can be highly effective for creating new customers and growing your business, but they each have unique benefits and purposes.

Here are two checklists you can use to determine whether you need a press release or a series of blog posts. (Note that you don’t need to check off every item on either list, but answering “yes” to just a few is a good sign that you need that particular service.)

When people write a press release, they usually make one subtle mistake–a mistake that ruins their chances of success before they ever send the press release out.

They think the purpose of the press release is to spread the word about a business.

Of course, that’s the ultimate goal: to get coverage. But the real purpose, at least for the editor who reads it, has nothing to do with your company.

The real purpose is to make life easier for the editors and writers you contact.

Editors look at hundreds of press releases every single day.

Just let that sink in for a minute. Imagine reading 200 press release headlines every day. It takes hours and hours to go through all of them, and the most an editor can hope for is that a few of them make for an interesting story.

If it’s not instantly clear how the writers could drum up a story with your press release, the editor will most likely pass on it.

But if you can create a press release that presents a clear, interesting story right off the bat, then you make life easier for the editor.

When it comes to marketing, every person on Earth knows that you need to stand out, be unique, paint yourself purple, and stick out like a sore thumb.

I’m not saying that advice is wrong, but it’s important to remember that standing out and blending in are not opposites!

Here’s what I mean:

By associating your business with similar groups, you can draw a lot more attention to yourself. Don’t try to be a lone wolf! Instead, find the businesses that compliment your services and start cross-marketing.

Here are a few ways you can do that.

Throw a Charity Event.

If you have a local business, get together with others for a charity or social event. It will create goodwill for your brand and draw in new potential customers.

This can be especially useful for newer businesses to make a name for themselves in the community.

Digital Business? No Problem.
Just Don’t Get Stuck in the Friend Zone.